Georgia Perimeter College will soon become part of Georgia State University after a proposal recommending the consolidation of the two schools from Board of Regents Chancellor Hank Huckaby was approved Tuesday morning.

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Ann Capolino Brewer was a natural leader known for her relentless efforts to better her community. She was especially known for her work on behalf of those suffering from cystic fibrosis, and was a champion of Georgia farmers as one of the first organizers of the organic food movement.

The old Dover Cemetery is all but invisible from the road save for a few heavily worn headstones peeking out from a family plot overgrown with long, dry grass and pine saplings. Further back, some of the more recent headstones have been tended to, but a collapsed wire fence and thickets of brambles stand as evidence of years of neglect.

Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff's Office will offer Citizens Firearm Safety Courses in July. These classes will consist of information on laws governing use of deadly force, firearm safety at and away from the firing range, nomenclature of the basic revolver and semiautomatic pistols and a chance to complete a course of fire at the Newton County Sheriff Firing Range.

Many little fairies, big fairies and everyone in between traveled far, far away to visit the magical fairyland behind the library and enjoy the Fairy Houses at the Chimney Park festival Saturday afternoon.

Elise Hammond's oil portrait entitled "Jeff," which depicts her son-in-law, has been accepted into the Spring Juried Exhibition of The Portrait Society of Atlanta. Hammond's work was one of a select few to have been included by the well-known jurist Dawn Whitelaw and may be seen at the show to be held at The Gallery at Paper Mill Village in Marietta. The opening reception will be May 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Since joining The Portrait Society of Atlanta in 2009, Hammond has had four portraits juried into the three shows, and was honored ...

Randall Hardy admits to severe depression following his stroke several years ago.

"The effects of a stroke can be very frustrating, particularly for someone young like me," Hardy said. "In addition to the challenges of recovery I really struggled with what was my purpose now in life."

Treats for the troops: Alcovy Girl Scout Service Unit recently sold 840 boxes of cookies to be donated to Operation Sandbox. Local Girl Scouts of all levels came together April 12 to send off all the Girl Scout Cookies they sold to be donated. The cookies will be sent to troops very quickly and Virginia Pearson, head of the local Operation Sandbox, was thrilled to receive so many boxes of the delicious treats. Many boxes had labels on them where people had written messages to the troops thanking them for their service as well as words of prayer.

New chamber President Hunter Hall spoke with several prominent community members at a meet-and-greet ceremony at the Chamber Wednesday morning. The Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hired Hall on April 7 to grow chamber membership, meet current members' needs and manage the chamber staff.

All lanes on Interstate 20 east were blocked on both sides near exit 101 just after 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning when a double tractor trailer carrying hazardous materials overturned in the median at the Social Circle Road overpass. The truck was carrying a myriad of items, including a small amount of sodium chloride, and Walton County Fire Department's Hazardous Material Team were able to secure the load.